Showing posts with label african americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label african americans. Show all posts

Friday, September 3, 2010

Black Athletes, Hip Hop and Handguns: What Up with That?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Shaun Rogers, a Defensive Tackle for the Cleveland Browns, was fined $400,000 by the league for violating its personal conduct policy. Rogers was caught carrying a loaded gun inside an airport. The fine represents approximately 1/17th of his $6.9 million salary.
Some would say that Rogers got off easy, since it would have been no surprise to see him either suspended or sent to jail. The player was caught carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag at Hopkins International Airport. There's no indication regarding whether or not he realized that TSA agents actually have the ability to see inside of someone's luggage with their x-ray machine. It's hard to imagine what he might have been thinking.

Click to read.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Black Males Dying in Detroit at Alarming Rates

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

African American males in Detroit between the ages of 15 and 24 are dying at a rate that is roughly seven times higher than the rest of the Detroit population. If they were dying at the same rate as everyone else, there would be one death every three weeks. Instead, there are two black men dying every single week.
This has set off alarm bells within the Detroit Police Department, which has taken heavy criticism for its policing of the black community. Their most recent embarrassment was the shooting of seven-year old Aiyana Jones during a police raid. But the Chief of Police, Ralph Godbee Jr., is concerned about black men killing one another.

 

Click to read.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Drizzy Drops Half a Million Copies

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

I took a poll of some of my industry homies last week to get a sense of how"Thank Me Later," the debut album for Drake, was going to sell. It turns out that out of those bold enough to make a prediction, my friends Michael Bivins (formerly of Belle, Biv, Devoe and New Edition) and Vigalantee (a rapper in Kansas City, MO), were closest. Vigalantee predicted 450,000 units and Mike Biv predicted 400,000. No matter how you slice it, Drake is now officially the shizzle.

It's not as if anyone is surprised by Drake's stellar debut. He and the rest of the Young Money clique did an outstanding job creating buzz for the album and Drake proved that even in the age of massive Internet pirating, he can still make his money.

 

click to read




Monday, June 14, 2010

Dr Boyce Money: Diddy's Son's Car- Too Much?

by Dr Boyce Watkins

Some of us turned our heads to the side when it was reported that the rapper and businessman Diddy gave his son Justin a $360,000 Maybach automobile for his 16th birthday. People asked me what I thought about this, since I've written a great deal on how to teach your kids about money, and I used a three letter acronym: TAH - "Tacky As Hayell."
I respect Diddy and I apologize for having to lean in on him for this one, but as S Tia Brown and I discuss in our latest episode of Financial Lovemaking, you can find ways to show your children love without spoiling them for the rest of the world. By giving his son such an extraordinary gift at such an early age, Diddy may have minimized his son's ability to conceptualize the value of working hard for his success or empathizing with those who are less fortunate. In other words, receiving such overdoses of dopamine at the age of 16 is a sure-fire recipe for depression later in life.

Click to read




Friday, June 11, 2010

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Rappers and Black Women: Slim Thug and Talib Kweli

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

A note to Slim Thug: You probably just need to be quiet for a while. It's not to say thatyour comments about black women were outside your rights to freedom of speech, but if you keep dissing the audience most likely to go out and buy your records, you are probably going to end up in the same poorhouse as MC Hammer. Don't get me wrong, black men love your music (at least I do), but the bottom line is that brothers don't buy albums, books, or anything else put up for sale. But when black women turn on you, it's a wrap son. Settle down and go back to the studio; it's good for your financial health.
I wrote yesterday about the comments made by Slim Thug regarding how he perceives white women to be a better dating choice than black women, as well asColumbia Professor Marc Lamont Hill'sresponse to Slim Thug's words. It seems that the debate has taken a life of it's own, now that rapper Talib Kweli has joined the conversation. In a recent essay he wrote for Vibe Magazine, Talib Kweli was ever the diplomatic artist, as he showed respect for Slim Thug, but also expressed his own concerns for his colleague's remarks about black women:

Click to read.

To read more about the debate regarding Slim Thug’s comments about black women, click here.




Monday, January 11, 2010

Your Black News: Lloyd Banks Gets Locked Up

Lloyd Banks

G-Unit's Lloyd Banks is being held by police in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, on assault and robbery charges after an incident involving a local promoter on Friday night. Authorities say that Banks and three others assaulted the promoter after the G-Unit member performed at Club NV in nearby Brantford late Friday night.

Sergeant Brad Finucan of the Waterloo Regional Police's Criminal Investigations branch told MTV News on Sunday (January 10) that Banks (real name: Christopher Lloyd) and three associates got into a dispute with the promoter at a local hotel over payment for performance and an appearance fee. The promoter's name was withheld by police.

 

Click to read.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins says we need to forget about Chris Brown and Rihanna

chris-brown-rihanna

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

When I heard that Chris Brown hit his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, I was concerned and surprised.  I also found myself irritated by the fact that many women, along with my teenage daughters, were quick to forgive Chris for his actions, primarily because they think he has a great voice and a cute face.  I had little sympathy for Chris Brown, and doing something like that to one of my girls would’ve had him singing a cappella for the rest of his life.

RELATED: Rihanna: Chris Brown “Had No Soul In His Eyes”

But that’s where I have to get off the Chris Brown bashing bus.  In spite of my frustration with Chris’ behavior, I cannot endorse the media’s decision to turn his relationship with Rihanna into a one-sided slugfest, committed by yet another violent black man whose rage consistently overrides his intellect.  I also cannot endorse Rihanna’s decision to bring ABC News into her relationship, portraying herself as the completely innocent victim who was terrorized by the big, scary black man.  Yes, she is the victim, but we all know that love is not that simple.

Let’s be clear: No man should ever put his hands on a woman in a violent way.  We all agree on that.   Not only is it morally wrong, but it’s an easy way for a man to find himself in jail (especially if he’s black).  We should also agree that no woman should put her hands on any man.  The second point might be subject to disagreement, but the truth is that you shouldn’t hit someone if you don’t expect to get hit back.  While that person might end up being punished by the police, you might end up in the morgue.  We can also agree that the disproportionate amount of force that a man is capable of inflicting is a legitimate reason that the man is more to blame than the woman, even if both parties are involved in a physical altercation.

 

Click to read.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Your Black News: The Queen’s New “Commercial”

 

Your Black World 

 

Queen Latifah does a commercial for Excedrin…sort of.   We think it’s Saturday Night Live.

Click here to watch!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

News: Jigga Rocks NYC Hard

 

For New Yorkers, every Sept. 11 is a chance to remember the dead and reaffirm the resiliency of the living.

Hometown hero Jay-Z did both Friday night, marking the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks with Answer the Call, a triumphant two-hour performance atMadison Square Garden.

"We're celebrating life tonight," said the 39-year-old, Brooklyn-born rapper, rallying the capacity crowd midway through his set. "We're celebrating strength tonight."

The concert, a fundraising event for the families of New York City police officers and firefighters who died responding to the attacks, featured nearly as many guest performers as it did hit songs.

 

Click to read.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

A Knock Out fo Yo Ass

 

Click the video to watch LeGarrette Blount of The University of Oregon knock out a player from Boise State University.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

News from Hip Hop Wired – 8/25/09

Juelz Santana Arrested for “Threatening To Kill His Wife”

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 14:40 pm

Permanent Link to Juelz Santana Arrested for โ€œThreatening To Kill His Wifeโ€

Member of the Diplomats and Leader of the Skull Gang, rapper Juelz Santana was arrested today for domestic abuse.  According to reports, Santana allegedly threatened to kill his wife.

Reports show that a 911 call was placed by his wife early this morning during an altercation between the two in their home in Teaneck, New Jersey.  Whatever was said in the phone call clearly did the trick as the rapper was arrested on domestic battery charges, although she was not in need of any More

Comment Comments 0 Tags Tags dipset, juelz santana, juelz santana arrested for domestic abuse, juelz santana arrested for domestic violence

Lil Wayne feat. Eminem, Kanye West and Drake Coming Soon?

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 13:29 pm

Permanent Link to Lil Wayne feat. Eminem, Kanye West and Drake Coming Soon?

In anticipation for the documentary film More Than A Game, the stakes may have risen to a boiling point as a dream collaboration may be in the works for the soundtrack.

There have been rumors circulating that a song featuring Wayne, Drake, Kanye West and Eminem is in the process and will be featured for the film.  Reports have even taken it as far as stating that the track will be available Friday on iTunes.

For Louisiana bred Lil Wayne, the self proclaimed rapper eater has stated that one of his musical dreams came in the form of actually working alongside the Detroit rapper and even issued a challenge to bring Eminem out of hiding to do a track with him.

The actual film, being disturbed by Lionsgate, surrounds the upbringing of basketball player Lebron James, who was More

Comment Comments 0 Tags Tags lil wayne/ drake/ eminem and kanye west collaborate for lebron james movie, more than game/ lebron james movie

Juror for C-Murder Trial Says Voting Process Was Foul

NEWS

» by JUSTIN STEWART   Aug 25 2009, 12:50 pm

Permanent Link to Juror for C-Murder Trial Says Voting Process Was Foul

Now that the trial is over and Corey “C-Murder” Miller has been convicted for murder, a juror now steps up to state that foul play happened in casting the votes and declaring that Miller was indeed guilty.

Mary Jacob, who had a hand on two occasions in having the deciding vote for the murder trial, has now come forth to admit that one juror did not fully believe that Miller was indeed guilty of the crime he was being accused of, but her vote was tainted by other jurors who ultimately made her decide in their More

Comment Comments 0 Tags Tags c-murder gets another 10 years for seperate shooting, c-murder sentenced to life in prison, c-murder trial tainted, juror harrasement in c-murder trial

G-Unit Employee Due In Court For Assault Charge

NEWS

» by DANIELLE CANADA   Aug 25 2009, 12:19 pm

Permanent Link to G-Unit Employee Due In Court For Assault Charge

An employee of 50 Cent's G-Unit empire is due in court today for his second assault charge in three months. 27-year old Dwayne Mckenzie is facing criminal charges for attacking an unidentified woman and holding her down so another woman could beat her.

The incident happened August 16 at 50's 50,000 square foot mansion in Connecticut. According to the unidentified woman, he asked her for oral sex. When she refused, one of her friends jumped to her defense and began to argue with him. When the woman and her friend tried to leave, they were attacked by 21-year old More

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Your Black World: Black Celebs at the All Star Game





Tons of celeb couples were spotted in Phoenix for All Star Weekend! I never seen so many pro athletes with their wives at one time I was shocked and appalled! Even Shaq dusted Shaunie off and brought her out! More pics coming soon!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Report: Chris Brown Finally Addresses the Public

For over a week it seems that everyone but Chris Brown and Rihanna had something to say about their domestic violence incident, but Chris has finally broken his silence. Chris released a statement earlier today, check out what he had to say below.

“Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God’s help, to emerging a better person. Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writing under my name are frauds.”

I am definitely glad to see that he is seeking help, and I kind of feel a little sorry for him.

--
Posted By N. Taylor to Your Black Gossip at 2/15/2009 08:59:00 PM

 

Monday, July 14, 2008

Black People are Pathetic: Ask Barack Obama



Since everyone appears to be on the "black people have no personal responsibility" band wagon, I thought I would buy a ticket. I read some of the transcript from Senator Barack Obama's NAACP speech Monday, so I thought I would pick up the spoon and get myself a big fat dose of personal responsibility. After all, perhaps we should consider ourselves fortunate: We are the only group that presidential candidates visit and tell us all the things that are wrong with us. I should have figured it out long ago: everyone else is perfect, and we are just ficked up.

In fact, our fortune runs even deeper than we can imagine, since our presidential candidates have taken notes from the great Ronald Reagan and given us the privilege of looking past everyone else's flaws. We don't have to listen to our president lecturing white Americans on their 50% divorce and child abandonment rate: all that matters are the black men who don't get married. We don't have to listen to our presidential candidates talk about the hundreds of thousands of alcoholics, drug addicts and rapists being produced on college campuses every year: all that matters is that black men are the ones being sent to prison for drug possession. Finally, we don't have to listen to our president talk about how many conservative family politicians have been caught sleeping with every woman (or man, or little boy) on the block: all that matters is that black men need to keep their "thing" in their pants and black women need to stop opening their legs to every man who brings them a bag of Cheetos.

Nope: the personal responsibility speeches are all saved for us. I guess that's the benefit of being so pathetic. It's not like we don't need it. I saw several black boys on TV the other day getting arrested for stealing. I hate it when all those black boys steal. I mean, 100% of the black boys I saw on TV last week were stealing, which MUST mean that 100% of all black boys steal. The white kids I saw on the news were going to college. Why don't black men ever study like those kids? If it were not for the media, I wouldn't have a chance to see just how pathetic we all are. It's a national epidemic I tell you!

I really could use a speech on personal responsibility. Had it not been for my ability to manipulate the welfare system and get an extra check every month, I would never have been able to manipulate my way to a PhD. I am not sure how my trifling mama got a child into Cornell University, another in the Mayo Clinic and a third on the faculty at Syracuse University. If only that pathetic single black mother could have been more responsible. Perhaps then her children could have gone to Harvard like Senator Obama.

So, you black people, please listen: You need to simply accept the fact that you are screwed up and have no morals. Forget what everyone else is doing, your kids are lazy and worthless, and you've never learned the value of hard work in your lives. No, no, no. Stop mentioning all the corporate welfare that our government gives out every year to lobbyists, or the fact that millions of Americans (of all races) were begging for government welfare to save themselves from their mortgage crisis. That might be true, but this is about you: everyone else's government support is not the issue, it's not like you people pay taxes or anything. We would rather talk about the person I saw on The O'Reilly Factor last week who said that they get welfare so they can buy extra crack. See, like I said, black people have no morals.

The focus of this discussion is that if you you were not so weak and worthless, you would not have depression-era unemployment in your communities, we wouldn't have to pass you over for jobs and your black men would not be getting longer sentences for the same crimes. You think that America is being racist against you. Get a life. That racism excuse is old and tired. Everyone knows that racism doesn't exist. We support Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity because they are truly great Americans, unlike that afro-wearing loud mouth Jesse Jackson. It's not as if he's ever done anything important.

So, here's what I am trying to say to you people: Get off welfare and learn how to work. Stop whining about companies that haven't hired a black manager in 100 years. If you guys could actually do the job, then maybe they would give it to you. There is no reason to learn to love yourself, because who you are right now is pathetic. If only you black people could learn to be as perfect as the rest of America, you might just be OK. Thanks Senator Obama, I needed to learn my place.